What ages does Camp McDowell accept?

Camp McDowell is open to children ages not listed. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.

What are Camp McDowell's hours?

Camp McDowell runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.

Is Camp McDowell accredited?

Yes — Camp McDowell is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 70 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.

Who runs Camp McDowell?

Camp McDowell is operated by a faith-based organization, with 70 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.

Does Camp McDowell provide lunch?

Camp McDowell does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.

How does Camp McDowell compare to other religious camps in Nauvoo?

Camp McDowell is one of 12 religious camps in Nauvoo that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

▌ Religious · Ages not listed

Camp McDowell

Nauvoo, AL

Camp McDowell offers a faith-based overnight summer camp experience for children and youth in Alabama, focusing on spiritual growth, outdoor activities, and ...

▌ Editor's read Camp McDowell's website, mcdowellsummercamp.org, loads successfully and provides comprehensive information about their programs. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation valid through 2024, indicating adherence to industry standards for health, safety, and program quality. The camp has been operating for 70 years, as stated on their 'About Us' page, highlighting its long-standing presence and experience. It is owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, making it a church-affiliated camp. The website mentions that all staff undergo background checks and receive extensive training, including CPR and First Aid certification. Camp McDowell offers overnight programs for various age groups, focusing on outdoor activities, environmental education, and spiritual formation. Google reviews for Camp McDowell show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 230 reviews, with many reviewers praising the positive impact on children and the supportive staff.

★

ACA-accredited~300 standards audited

⌬

Since 195670+ years operating

Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here

Camp McDowell is geared toward early-childhood campers — ages where ritual, repetition, and short activity blocks land better than long instructional sessions. religious programs at this age work best when the day length matches the child's attention threshold and the staff knows how to handle separation moments without escalating them.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Overnight camp
ACA accredited: Yes
Established: 1956 (70 years)
Operator: Faith-based organization
Staff-to-camper ratio: Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Religious
Ages: not listed
Hours: 24-hour residential
Address: 105 Delong Rd, Nauvoo, AL 35578

Runs 24-hour residential, 11 sessions (11 one-week), from May 22 to Jul 31.

Sessions

Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.

Session 1 May 22 – 24, 2026 · 1 week · $200
Session 2 May 24 – 28, 2026 · 1 week · $150
Session 3 May 25 – 28, 2026 · 1 week
Session 4 May 28 – 31, 2026 · 1 week · $300
Session 5 May 30 – Jun 6, 2026 · 2 weeks
Session 6 Jun 5 – 8, 2026 · 1 week · $300
Session 7 Jun 13 – 19, 2026 · 1 week · $600
Session 8 Jun 25 – 29, 2026 · 1 week · $400
Session 9 Jul 7 – 12, 2026 · 1 week · $500
Session 10 Jul 17 – 19, 2026 · 1 week · $200
Session 11 Jul 24 – 31, 2026 · 2 weeks · $700

Logistics

Lunch provided: No
Transportation: No
Financial aid: No
Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Camp McDowell

What ages does Camp McDowell accept?: Camp McDowell is open to children ages not listed. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
What are Camp McDowell's hours?: Camp McDowell runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Is Camp McDowell accredited?: Yes — Camp McDowell is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 70 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
Who runs Camp McDowell?: Camp McDowell is operated by a faith-based organization, with 70 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Camp McDowell provide lunch?: Camp McDowell does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does Camp McDowell compare to other religious camps in Nauvoo?: Camp McDowell is one of 12 religious camps in Nauvoo that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp McDowell with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Put this camp's cost in market context.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp McDowell.

Camp McDowell - Bethany's Kids Campers · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 9–13
Camp McDowell - Elementary I · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 8–9 · $300/week
Camp McDowell - Elementary II · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 10–11 · $300/week
Camp McDowell - Junior High · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 12–13 · $500/week
Camp McDowell - Middler · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 11–12 · $400/week
Camp McDowell - Primary I · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 6–8 · $200/week
Camp McDowell - Primary II · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 6–8 · $200/week
Camp McDowell - Senior · Nauvoo, AL · Ages 16–17 · $700/week